Description

Type

Bachelor's degree

Location

Oxford

UCAS code IV15 Duration
3 years (BA)
4 years (MCompPhil)
Entrance requirements
A*AA with the A* in Maths, Further Maths or Computing/Computer Science
Subject requirements Maths
Further Maths
Admissions test(s) ox.ac.uk/mat Written work None
Admissions statistics*
Interviewed: 33%
Successful: 11%
Intake: 13
*3-year average 2017-19
Contact +44 (0) 1865 273821 / 283507
Email Computer Science
Subject requirements: Essential Recommended Helpful – may be useful on course
Unistats information for this course can be found at the bottom of the page
Please note that there may be no data available if the number of course participants is very small.
Artificial intelligence (AI), logic, robotics, virtual reality: fascinating areas where computer science and philosophy meet. The two disciplines share a broad focus on the representation of information and rational inference, embracing common interests in algorithms, cognition, intelligence, language, models, proof and verification. Computer scientists need to be able to reflect critically and philosophically as they push forward into novel domains, while philosophers need to understand a world increasingly shaped by technology in which a whole new range of enquiry has opened up, from the philosophy of AI to the ethics of privacy and intellectual property.

">Video of Computer Science and Philosophy at Oxford University

Some of the greatest thinkers of the past – including Aristotle, Hobbes and Turing – dreamed of automating reasoning and what this might achieve; the computer has now made it a reality, providing a wonderful tool for extending our speculation and understanding..
The study of philosophy develops analytical, critical and logical rigour, and the ability to think through the consequences of novel ideas and speculations

Facilities

Oxford (Oxfordshire)

See map

Wellington Square, OX1 2JD

Start date

On request

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Subjects

Maths
Design
Teaching
Word
Options
Artificial Intelligence
IT
Algorithms
Philosophy
Ethics
Logic
Science Philosophy
Computational
Ms Word

Course programme

A typical week

For the first two years, your work is divided between about ten lectures and two to three college-based tutorials each week, alongside Computer Science practical classes – usually one session a week. In the second year you will take part in a Computer Science group design practical, why may be sponsored by industry. In your third and fourth years, Philosophy continues to be taught through tutorials, while there are classes in the department for most Computer Science courses.

Most tutorials, classes, and lectures are delivered by staff who are tutors in their subject. Many are world-leading experts with years of experience in teaching and research. Some teaching may also be delivered by postdoctoral researchers or postgraduate students who are studying at doctorate level.

To find out more about how our teaching year is structured, visit our Academic Year page.

Academic YearCourse structureYEAR 1

COURSES

Computer Science:
- Functional programming
- Design and analysis of algorithms
- Ethics and responsible innovation
- Imperative programming
- Discrete mathematics
- Probability
Philosophy:
- General philosophy
- Elements of deductive logic
- Turing on computability and intelligence

ASSESSMENT

Five written papers

YEAR 2

COURSES

Computer Science core courses (25%):
- Models of computation
- Algorithms
- Group design practical
Computer Science options (25%):
Current options include:
- Compilers
- Databases
- Artificial intelligence
Philosophy (50%):
Current options include:
- Knowledge and reality
- Early modern philosophy
- Philosophy of science
- Philosophy of mind
- Ethics

ASSESSMENT

Two Computer Science papers

YEAR 3

COURSES

Computer Science (25–75%):
Current options include:
- Computational complexity
- Machine learning
- Computer-aided formal verification
- Computers in society
- Knowledge representation and reasoning

Philosophy (25–75%):
Current options include:
- Philosophical logic
- Philosophy of cognitive science
- Philosophy of mathematics
- Philosophy of logic and language and many others

ASSESSMENT

Between nine and eleven three-hour written papers, including at least two in Computer Science and at least three in Philosophy

YEAR 4

COURSES

Computer Science:
Current advanced options include:
- Advanced security
- Automata, logic and games
- Computational game theory
- Computational learning theory
- Concurrent algorithms and data structures
- Quantum computer science
- Optional Computer Science project

Philosophy:
- Advanced options in philosophy
- Optional Philosophy thesis

The courses listed above are illustrative and may change. A full list of current options is available on the Computer Science website.

ASSESSMENT

Computer Science: written paper or take-home exam; Philosophy: three-hour written paper and 5,000-
word essay

YEAR 1

COURSES

Computer Science:
- Functional programming
- Design and analysis of algorithms
- Ethics and responsible innovation
- Imperative programming
- Discrete mathematics
- Probability
Philosophy:
- General philosophy
- Elements of deductive logic
- Turing on computability and intelligence

ASSESSMENT

Five written papers

YEAR 2

COURSES

Computer Science core courses (25%):
- Models of computation
- Algorithms
- Group design practical
Computer Science options (25%):
Current options include:
- Compilers
- Databases
- Artificial intelligence
Philosophy (50%):
Current options include:
- Knowledge and reality
- Early modern philosophy
- Philosophy of science
- Philosophy of mind
- Ethics

ASSESSMENT

Two Computer Science papers

YEAR 3

COURSES

Computer Science (25–75%):
Current options include:
- Computational complexity
- Machine learning
- Computer-aided formal verification
- Computers in society
- Knowledge representation and reasoning

Philosophy (25–75%):
Current options include:
- Philosophical logic
- Philosophy of cognitive science
- Philosophy of mathematics
- Philosophy of logic and language and many others

ASSESSMENT

Between nine and eleven three-hour written papers, including at least two in Computer Science and at least three in Philosophy

YEAR 4

COURSES

Computer Science:
Current advanced options include:
- Advanced security
- Automata, logic and games
- Computational game theory
- Computational learning theory
- Concurrent algorithms and data structures
- Quantum computer science
- Optional Computer Science project

Philosophy:
- Advanced options in philosophy
- Optional Philosophy thesis

The courses listed above are illustrative and may change. A full list of current options is available on the Computer Science website.

ASSESSMENT

Computer Science: written paper or take-home exam; Philosophy: three-hour written paper and 5,000-
word essay

YEAR 1YEAR 1YEAR 1

COURSES

Computer Science:
- Functional programming
- Design and analysis of algorithms
- Ethics and responsible innovation
- Imperative programming
- Discrete mathematics
- Probability
Philosophy:
- General philosophy
- Elements of deductive logic
- Turing on computability and intelligence

ASSESSMENT

Five written papers

COURSES

Computer Science:
- Functional programming
- Design and analysis of algorithms
- Ethics and responsible innovation
- Imperative programming
- Discrete mathematics
- Probability
Philosophy:
- General philosophy
- Elements of deductive logic
- Turing on computability and intelligence

COURSES

Computer Science:
- Functional programming
- Design and analysis of algorithms
- Ethics and responsible innovation
- Imperative programming
- Discrete mathematics
- Probability
Philosophy:
- General philosophy
- Elements of deductive logic
- Turing on computability and intelligence

Computer Science:

Functional programming
Design and analysis of algorithms
Ethics and responsible innovation
Imperative programming
Discrete mathematics
Probability

Computer Science:Computer Science:

Functional programming
Design and analysis of algorithms
Ethics and responsible innovation
Imperative programming
Discrete mathematics
Probability

Functional programming

Design and analysis of algorithms

Ethics and responsible innovation

Imperative programming

Discrete mathematics

Probability

Philosophy:

General philosophy
Elements of deductive logic
Turing on computability and intelligence

Philosophy:Philosophy:

General philosophy
Elements of deductive logic
Turing on computability and intelligence

General philosophy

Elements of deductive logic

Turing on computability and intelligence

ASSESSMENT

Five written papers

ASSESSMENT

Five written papers

YEAR 2YEAR 2YEAR 2

COURSES

Computer Science core courses (25%):
- Models of computation
- Algorithms
- Group design practical
Computer Science options (25%):
Current options include:
- Compilers
- Databases
- Artificial intelligence
Philosophy (50%):
Current options include:
- Knowledge and reality
- Early modern philosophy
- Philosophy of science
- Philosophy of mind
- Ethics

ASSESSMENT

Two Computer Science papers

COURSES

Computer Science core courses (25%):
- Models of computation
- Algorithms
- Group design practical
Computer Science options (25%):
Current options include:
- Compilers
- Databases
- Artificial intelligence
Philosophy (50%):
Current options include:
- Knowledge and reality
- Early modern philosophy
- Philosophy of science
- Philosophy of mind
- Ethics

COURSES

Computer Science core courses (25%):
- Models of computation
- Algorithms
- Group design practical
Computer Science options (25%):
Current options include:
- Compilers
- Databases
- Artificial intelligence
Philosophy (50%):
Current options include:
- Knowledge and reality
- Early modern philosophy
- Philosophy of science
- Philosophy of mind
- Ethics

Computer Science core courses (25%):

Models of computation
Algorithms
Group design practical

Computer Science core courses (25%):Computer Science core courses (25%):

Models of computation
Algorithms
Group design practical

Models of computation

Algorithms

Group design practical

Computer Science options (25%):
Current options include:

Compilers
Databases
Artificial intelligence

Computer Science options (25%):

Compilers
Databases
Artificial intelligence

Compilers

Databases

Artificial intelligence

Philosophy (50%):
Current options include:

Knowledge and reality
Early modern philosophy
Philosophy of science
Philosophy of mind
Ethics

Philosophy (50%):

Knowledge and reality
Early modern philosophy
Philosophy of science
Philosophy of mind
Ethics

Knowledge and reality

Early modern philosophy

Philosophy of science

Philosophy of mind

Ethics

ASSESSMENT

Two Computer Science papers

ASSESSMENT

Two Computer Science papers

YEAR 3YEAR 3YEAR 3

COURSES

Computer Science (25–75%):
Current options include:
- Computational complexity
- Machine learning
- Computer-aided formal verification
- Computers in society
- Knowledge representation and reasoning

Philosophy (25–75%):
Current options include:
- Philosophical logic
- Philosophy of cognitive science
- Philosophy of mathematics
- Philosophy of logic and language and many others

ASSESSMENT

Between nine and eleven three-hour written papers, including at least two in Computer Science and at least three in Philosophy

COURSES

Computer Science (25–75%):
Current options include:
- Computational complexity
- Machine learning
- Computer-aided formal verification
- Computers in society
- Knowledge representation and reasoning

Philosophy (25–75%):
Current options include:
- Philosophical logic
- Philosophy of cognitive science
- Philosophy of mathematics
- Philosophy of logic and language and many others

COURSES

Computer Science (25–75%):
Current options include:
- Computational complexity
- Machine learning
- Computer-aided formal verification
- Computers in society
- Knowledge representation and reasoning

Computer Science (25–75%):
Current options include:

Computational complexity
Machine learning
Computer-aided formal verification
Computers in society
Knowledge representation and reasoning

Computer Science (25–75%):

Computational complexity
Machine learning
Computer-aided formal verification
Computers in society
Knowledge representation and reasoning

Computational complexity

Machine learning

Computer-aided formal verification

Computers in society

Knowledge representation and reasoning

Philosophy (25–75%):
Current options include:
- Philosophical logic
- Philosophy of cognitive science
- Philosophy of mathematics
- Philosophy of logic and language and many others

Philosophy (25–75%):
Current options include:

Philosophical logic
Philosophy of cognitive science
Philosophy of mathematics
Philosophy of logic and language and many others

Philosophy (25–75%):

Philosophical logic
Philosophy of cognitive science
Philosophy of mathematics
Philosophy of logic and language and many others

Philosophical logic

Philosophy of cognitive science

Philosophy of mathematics

Philosophy of logic and language and many others

ASSESSMENT

Between nine and eleven three-hour written papers, including at least two in Computer Science and at least three in Philosophy

ASSESSMENT

Between nine and eleven three-hour written papers, including at least two in Computer Science and at least three in Philosophy

YEAR 4YEAR 4YEAR 4

COURSES

Computer Science:
Current advanced options include:
- Advanced security
- Automata, logic and games
- Computational game theory
- Computational learning theory
- Concurrent algorithms and data structures
- Quantum computer science
- Optional Computer Science project

Philosophy:
- Advanced options in philosophy
- Optional Philosophy thesis

The courses listed above are illustrative and may change. A full list of current options is available on the Computer Science website.

ASSESSMENT

Computer Science: written paper or take-home exam; Philosophy: three-hour written paper and 5,000-
word essay

COURSES

Computer Science:
Current advanced options include:
- Advanced security
- Automata, logic and games
- Computational game theory
- Computational learning theory
- Concurrent algorithms and data structures
- Quantum computer science
- Optional Computer Science project

Philosophy:
- Advanced options in philosophy
- Optional Philosophy thesis

The courses listed above are illustrative and may change. A full list of current options is available on the Computer Science website .

COURSES

Computer Science:
Current advanced options include:
- Advanced security
- Automata, logic and games
- Computational game theory
- Computational learning theory
- Concurrent algorithms and data structures
- Quantum computer science
- Optional Computer Science project

Computer Science:
Current advanced options include:

Advanced security
Automata, logic and games
Computational game theory
Computational learning theory
Concurrent algorithms and data structures
Quantum computer science
Optional Computer Science project

Computer Science:

Advanced security
Automata, logic and games
Computational game theory
Computational learning theory
Concurrent algorithms and data structures
Quantum computer science
Optional Computer Science project

Advanced security

Automata, logic and games

Computational game theory

Computational learning theory

Concurrent algorithms and data structures

Quantum computer science

Optional Computer Science project

Philosophy:
- Advanced options in philosophy
- Optional Philosophy thesis

Philosophy:

Advanced options in philosophy
Optional Philosophy thesis

Philosophy:Philosophy:

Advanced options in philosophy
Optional Philosophy...

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Computer Science and Philosophy

Questions & Answers

Reviews

Subjects

Course programme

Add similar courses
and compare them to help you choose.

Computer Science and Philosophy

Questions & Answers

Reviews

Subjects

Course programme

Add similar coursesand compare them to help you choose.

Add similar courses
and compare them to help you choose.